SpaceX capsule's engine problem fixed

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX says it looks like an engine problem with its orbiting Dragon capsule has been fixed. But the vessel's arrival at the International Space Station with a load of supplies will be delayed.

The private spacecraft ran into trouble with its thrusters shortly after liftoff Friday morning.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk says all four sets of maneuvering thrusters should be working soon. The problem might have been caused by a stuck valve or line blockage.

But the delay means that the unmanned Dragon won't get to the space station on Saturday.

The California-based company has a contract with NASA to make a dozen deliveries to restock the space station. This is the third trip by a Dragon capsule to the station.

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Pentagon suspends F-35 flights due to engine blade crack

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon on Friday suspended the flights of all F-35 fighter planes after a routine inspection revealed a crack on a turbine blade in the jet engine of an F-35 test aircraft in California.

The F-35 program office said it was too early to know the fleet-wide impact of the engine issue, but it was suspending all flights until an investigation into the issue was completed.

It said it was working closely with Pratt & Whitney, the United Technologies Corp unit which builds the engine for the fighter, and Lockheed Martin Corp, the prime contractor for the radar-evading warplane, to ensure the integrity of the engine and return the F-35 fleet to flight as soon as possible.

(Reporting By Andrea Shalal-Esa; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

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F-35 fleet grounded after engine crack discovery

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon on Friday grounded its fleet of F-35 fighter jets after discovering a cracked engine blade in one plane.

The problem was discovered during what the Pentagon called a routine inspection at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., of an F-35A, the Air Force version of the sleek new plane. The Navy and the Marine Corps are buying other versions of the F-35, which is intended to replace older fighters like the Air Force F-16 and the Navy F/A-18.

All versions — a total of 51 planes — were grounded Friday pending a more in-depth evaluation of the problem discovered at Edwards. None of the planes have been fielded for combat operations; all are undergoing testing.

In a brief written statement, the Pentagon said it is too early to know the full impact of the newly discovered problem.

The F-35 is the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program at a total estimated cost of nearly $400 billion. The Pentagon envisions buying more than 2,400 F-35s, but some members of Congress are balking at the price tag.

Friday's suspension of flight operations will remain in effect until an investigation of the problem's root cause is determined.

The Pentagon said the engine in which the problem was discovered is being shipped to a Pratt & Whitney facility in Connecticut for more thorough evaluation.

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